Lost Bird of Wounded Knee

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The general's presents of food in great quantity opened a path that led to the Wounded Knee orphan. When they found the child, the disguised general stepped forward. Black-haired, dark-complexioned, standing erect, eyes hypnotic with conviction and pride, Leonard Colby spoke through an unknown interpreter:

"I am a Seneca Indian-- my grandmother was a full-blood Seneca. I have brought food on behalf of my tribe for your children. I rescued the child who survived the massacre at Wounded Knee. Take pity on me and my wife. We have no children of our own. I want to give this child to my wife. We will take good care of her..."

When Colby reached for the child in the grandmother's arms, she resisted and cried out, "﻿Zintkala Nuni! Zintkala Nuni! ﻿( "The Lost Bird! The Lost Bird!") But she finally released her hold on the sleeping child. Colby looked Indian. He did not appear frightened and ill at ease like a white man with one eyebrow raised. And perhaps it was better to let her go...just to make sure she had food and clothing...The grieving people turned away.